Page 94 - Arabiab Studies (IV)

84 Arabian Studies IV

mentioned fortress of Cochin they seized control of the harbour of the
island called Ceylon (SaylSn). They constructed a fortress, placed a
hundred Infidels in it and control it. Moreover cinnamon (dar ?Tni) is
apparently to be found in this Island and Adam the Prophet, on him be
peace, apparently lies buried upon a huge mountain at Sarandlb in the
midst of this Island.
9. They also control the port of a great island called Sumatra
(Shamatirah), one of the famous islands known as Tabt al-Rifci21 situated
onwards beyond the island of Ceylon afore-said. It is said that there they
(i.e., the Portuguese) have two hundred Infidels. With two hundred
Infidels they also captured the port of Malacca opposite Sumatra from
Hindu Infidels. Apparently all the spices come from these islands. Now
these spices go to Portugal. Formerly, before the Portuguese captured
those ports from our hands, there used to be a great deal of revenue from
spices in Egypt and a great deal of goods available.
10. It is said that the accursed Portuguese hold the aforementioned ports
with (only) two thousand men. Therefore, when our ships are ready, and,
God willing, move against them, their total destruction will be inevitable,
for one fortress is unable to support another and they are not able to put
up united opposition.
11. The following describes the characteristics of the province of Yemen:
The province of Yemen, which is so called, is more flourishing than the
province of Egypt, and it has no ruler. Its revenue is abundant. In this
province Husayn Bey, with five hundred soldiers has been appointed as
governor (muta$anif) of the district (nafriyah) of Zabld with the status of
sanjak.22 Zabld yields per annum one hundred and eighty thousand gold
pieces. At a distance oi one day and a half from Zabld is a beautiful town
called Ta‘izz, which backs on to a high mountain resembling Brusa with
its flowing waters, gardens and vineyards. It is also under the control of a
Rumh with about one hundred men.23 The name of our Sultan, may God
strengthen, exalt and glorify him, is read in the Khufbah (address) in both
Zabld and Ta‘izz and appears also on the coinage. Thus the illustrious
name of our Sultan is mentioned and well established in those parts of the
world. The mountain on to which Ta'izz backs is called Jabal-i $abur (J.
$abir): it is a huge mountain. Ta‘izz is said to be an important district
(n&biyah) with three hundred defterle villages (registered for taxation), all
of which possess well-tended fields, vineyards and gardens. In the districts
lying around the aforesaid mountain there are the towns (kasabah) of Ibile
(Ibb), Geble (Jiblah), Rada‘, Tamar (Dhamar), Maqranah and $an‘an
($an‘a’)> each worthy of having the status of a sanjak. Apart from these
there is another district which they call Vil£yet-i mashnk (al-Mashriq):
they call that place Wadi Khuban (Khuban) a province the water and
climate of which are pleasant. It is not easy to note down the condition in
which the province of Yemen finds itself. The pious endowments (awqaf)
for Mecca the Venerated and Medina the Illuminated in the above towns,
which had once been abundant, are now in the possession of Bedouins
(Arabiler) coming from outside. At the moment the Yemen has no
! lord—an empty province. It deserves to be a fine sanjak. It would be easy